TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's second-largest city is celebrating a transportation milestone as its nascent metro system approaches a significant passenger benchmark. The Taichung Mass Rapid Transit (TMRT, 台中捷運) Green Line, central Taiwan's first urban rail system, will record its 50 millionth passenger trip this month, officials announced Tuesday (June 3). To commemorate this achievement, the Taichung Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (台中捷運股份有限公司), the public-private entity that operates the system, has unveiled a special month-long lottery promotion running through June 30 designed to reward loyal commuters and boost ridership.
Transit officials have prepared a premium reward package for the system's landmark 50 millionth rider, who will receive two business-class round-trip airline tickets from Starlux Airlines (星宇航空), Taiwan's newest luxury carrier, valid for any Asian destination with service from Taichung International Airport. The lucky passenger will also receive a specially designed commemorative transit card. These details emerged during an elaborate media event held at the Taichung City Hall Station (市政府站), one of the system's busiest transit hubs. The announcement featured Director Yeh Chao-fu (葉昭甫) from Taichung's Transportation Bureau (台中市政府交通局), the municipal agency overseeing public transit, alongside TMRT Chairman Yen Bang-chieh (顏邦傑).
The celebration comes as Taichung's metro system approaches a half-decade of operations with steadily growing adoption among residents and visitors. Director Yeh highlighted the system's positive trajectory, noting that average daily passenger volume has increased substantially from just over 30,000 riders during earlier operational periods to more than 40,000 currently, with daily totals increasingly approaching the 50,000 passenger threshold. TMRT Chairman Yen detailed the mechanics of the anniversary promotion, explaining that through June 30, passengers who use either electronic transit cards or mobile payment options will automatically receive one lottery entry for every five trips taken, with more than 300 assorted prizes available in the drawing.
Beyond the lottery, transit officials have created a limited-edition collectible to mark the milestone. The corporation will release a special "50 Million Rides Commemorative 24-Hour Travel Card" (5000萬人次紀念24小時旅遊票卡) this Saturday at precisely 8 a.m., available at ticket counters throughout the TMRT network. The special-edition transit pass, which provides unlimited rides for 24 hours, will be strictly limited to 1,000 units and includes valuable discount coupons from various retail partners located near station areas. This collaborative approach between the transit system and local businesses reflects the growing role of Taichung's metro in both improving urban mobility and fostering economic development across Taiwan's central metropolis. ◼